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SUNY Potsdam officials say professor has been threatened for second time

Posted 4/29/15

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam officials say there has been a second threat against an African American faculty member who earlier this week was the target of what has been described as a racist and …

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SUNY Potsdam officials say professor has been threatened for second time

Posted

POTSDAM -- SUNY Potsdam officials say there has been a second threat against an African American faculty member who earlier this week was the target of what has been described as a racist and homophobic vitriol.

The college is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest, a petition opposing the threats is circulating and a “Stop the Hate” vigil is planned for tonight.

“The campus community needs to know that another message with equally threatening content was left for the same faculty member who received the initial vitriolic letter filled with racist and homophobic threats,” SUNY Potsdam President Kristen Esterberg said in an email sent to faculty on Wednesday. “Law enforcement has advised our campus to protect the details surrounding this ongoing investigation, so that we do not compromise any leads in this case. Therefore, we cannot publicly share the content of this second message or the exact timing of when it is believed to have been delivered.”

Esterberg says there is a $1,000 reward offered for information leading to the perpetrator’s arrest.

The initial threat was discovered Sunday, a written note slipped under a professor’s door.

The FBI and other law enforcement have since stepped in and are investigating it as a hate crime.

See our earlier story for more details.

Esterberg’s Wednesday email in its entirety:

“The campus community needs to know that another message with equally threatening content was left for the same faculty member who received the initial vitriolic letter filled with racist and homophobic threats.

First and foremost, our top priority is the safety of our beloved SUNY Potsdam faculty member and their family. University Police continues to work with this individual and their family, along with assistance from numerous other agencies.

Law enforcement has advised our campus to protect the details surrounding this ongoing investigation, so that we do not compromise any leads in this case.

Therefore, we cannot publicly share the content of this second message or the exact timing of when it is believed to have been delivered. Once again, at their request and out of concern for their safety, we will not publicly identify the victim in this case.

All available resources are being dedicated toward finding the coward or cowards behind this hateful act. If you have any information that you may think could be useful, it is imperative that you come forward.

The College is offering a $1,000 reward to anyone who brings forward information that leads to an arrest and a conviction in this case.

If you have any information, please call University Police at (315) 267-2222 or fill out the anonymous online witness form, at http://www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/safety/incidentreporting/witnessform.cfm.

This is the most heinous kind of hate-based prejudicial crime that exists. This incident is painfully reminiscent of hate group activities that we have seen throughout our country’s history.

The whole campus should understand that these are deliberate acts intended to terrorize not only an individual, but also a community. We cannot let this happen.

We must stand together to say as one: Stop the Hate.

We will hold a community Stop the Hate Vigil in support of our SUNY Potsdam family tonight at 7 p.m. in Minerva Plaza. All are welcome to stand with us in solidarity.

Please remember our campus resources that are there to assist you in these challenging times:

• The Counseling Center is available for any students who need to talk. Staff counselors and trained advocates are on call. To make an appointment, stop by, call (315) 267-2330, or visit www.potsdam.edu/studentlife/counseling.

• The Bias Response Team is a resource for students, faculty or staff who have experienced a bias-related incident. For more information, visit: www.potsdam.edu/about/diversity/biasresponse.

If you have not yet signed the Change.org petition, please add your name to those who have already stood up to say that SUNY Potsdam will not tolerate hate, here: https://www.change.org/p/latesha-fussell-suny-potsdam-alum-and-staff-member-wake-up-potsdam-i-will-step-up-and-speak-out.”